The North County Transit District (NCTD), the railway operator in North San Diego County, has ordered two additional Siemens Charger locomotives bringing to a total order of nine vehicles.
These locomotives complete NCTD’s efforts to replace and convert its current Coaster locomotive fleet to more efficient, lower-emissions vehicles. The new locomotives will also expand NCTD’s fleet size and enable NCTD to nearly double Coaster service frequency for the traveling public in San Diego County.
“Submitting our final order for two additional locomotives cements our commitment to enhancing our Coaster riders’ experience. In addition to increasing service frequencies, these new locomotives will provide a smoother and more reliable passenger experience, will significantly reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality, and reduce noise pollution for residents and riders,” Tony Kranz, NCTD Board Chair, said.
The new locomotives will improve overall Coaster efficiency and sustainability, providing an estimated 90% reduction in emissions, compared to previous engines. This will allow NCTD to improve the operational efficiency while contributing to California’s local and state sustainability and air quality goals.
The Charger locomotives manufactured by Siemens comply with today’s highest emissions standards. In addition to being Tier-4 certified by the EPA, the Siemens Charger was recently emissions-verified by the stringent California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards.
Together with these two additional locomotives, Siemens Mobility has sold in North America to 300 locomotives.
In 2018, NCTD ordered five Siemens Charger locomotives to replace aging vehicles that had reached their useful lifespan.
The first order of locomotives has been delivered and are currently in the testing and commissioning phase. In 2019, NCTD’s Board of Directors approved the procurement of two additional locomotives and two new trainsets, each trainset including a Siemens Charger locomotive as well as 4 bilevel coach cars and a bilevel cab car from another manufacturer.
NCTD was able to purchase the diesel-electric Siemens Charger locomotives as part of a multi-state procurement with the California and Illinois Departments of Transportation.
In San Diego, Siemens Mobility delivers the light rail vehicles and Charger locomotives for Pacific Surfliner trains on the LOSSAN Corridor between San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
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